While there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the HEMI-powered Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 prototypes caught testing around Metro Detroit, the iconic off-road brand is still looking to be a leader in green technology. Jeep has already launched its first two vehicles using the new electrified 4xe nameplate in Europe, with the Jeep Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models. The next Jeep vehicle to debut the 4xe designation will be the legendary Wrangler 4xe.
According to sources, the new electrified Wrangler 4xe will launch as a four-door (Unlimited) offering only. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will be first launched in the North American marketplace, before reaching Europe some time in mid-2021.
Recently, MoparInsiders.com showed spy photos of all of the available North American Wrangler 4xe models testing. The Wrangler 4xe models will consist of Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon Unlimited models. But, this week, our spy photographers have caught several new pictures of the upcoming European Wrangler Unlimited Sahara from both in Italy and from the United States.
In Italy, the Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4xe continues to remain to feature camouflage, there have been several prototypes caught testing, all of which have been caught by GabetzSpyUnit. Sources close to MoparInsiders.com, the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe will utilize the 2.0-liter turbocharged (GME-T4) inline-four-cylinder with the eTorque system. The system will be paired to a new ZF-sourced 8-speed plug-in hybrid automatic transmission, which is based on ZF’s current 8HP automatic transmission architecture that is a majority of the rear-drive FCA lineup.
Another European-spec Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4xe was spotted in Metro Detroit. This particular one does not have camouflage. ZF states that the transmission can power a vehicle up to 50 kilometers (or 31 miles) or up to 120 kph (or 74.5 mph), depending on the size of the battery used in the vehicle. This could mean that the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe would meet a majority of owner’s daily driving needs without having to use gasoline. It also would put the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe in a similar electric performance territory as the other 4xe models.
We can’t wait to see the final specifications Wrangler Unlimited 4xe models. It is expected, that the new Wrangler Unlimited 4xe will launch in the North American marketplace first this winter, then reach the European marketplace by mid-2021, and China in late-2021.
